66 J^otice of the Vegetable Productions of 



looks, at a distance, like a maple, and is, in autumn, very 

 beautiful, from the contrast of the brilliant tints of the leaves 

 with the berries in their difierent stages, — some wiih their 

 outward husk green, some brown, and others freed from the 

 covering, and of a pure white. 



The berries are of the size of a pea. The tallow is ob- 

 tained by compression in a mill, and is sold in large cakes. 



Pe-la-shoo^ or wax bush, (higustrum lucidum,) area species 

 of prim or privet: our wax or tallow' shrub, the barberry, is of 

 the genus »,'i/yrica, and is therefore a very different plant. The 

 wax found on the Pe-la-shoo is deposited by a species of 

 insect peculiar to it. The shrub reaches the size of a large 

 thorn bush. 



Camphor tree — {haurus Camphova,) abounds on the bor- 

 ders of the Kan-Kiang-ho, a branch of the Yang-tse-kiang, 

 or Son of the Sea, but called the Blue river on the maps of 

 China. Mr. Ellis observes "that orange groves were seen 

 in the morning, but my eyes have been more gratified by con- 

 templating the rich green foliage of the camjihor tree, which, 

 combined with the wide spread of its branches, renders it 

 equal in beauty to any of the trees of English scenery, and as 

 it is also an evergreen, it is a valuable ornamental tree, in 

 climates where it w-ill flourish." It grows in China as far 

 north as lat. 33 or 34. 



Oil tree. — A tree with a large leaf, resembling that of the 

 sycamore, was pointed out to the gentlenjen of Lord Amherst's 

 suite, from which an oil is expressed, used to preserve the 

 timbers of the boats, junks, and other vessels, and is consid- 

 ered next in efficiency to the varnish tree. 



Tsi-shoo. — Rhus vernix, or Varnish tree. This tree is 

 cultivated in plantations, and is of the height of a peach tree. 

 The leaves are shaped like the laurel, and are of a light green, 

 with a downy feel. The varnish is extracted by slitting the 

 bark, but it is necessary to guard the hands, as the leaves, 

 when bruised, produce sores on the skin. 



The varnish obtained from this tree is the celebrated mate- 

 rial which renders the lacquered articles of Japan and China 

 so beautiful and desirable. 



Besides the above named plants, there are several subjects 

 connected with the useful and ornamental arts, which merit 

 attention, in China; and it is to be regretted, that after the 

 intercourse which has so long existed with that nation, efforts 



